Chapter 183

By the time I returned to the workshop with Hyeon Jinseok on my back, the incident had already been settled.

Victor, the alchemist of Manyeong, was dead, and the villagers had returned to their ashen village, mourning his death.

It was difficult to reveal Victor’s true identity to the dolls.

This was because their intellectual capacity was not enough to understand the process.

However, thanks to seeing Hyeon Jinseok transform into a monster, they did not blindly stay wary of us.

They were likely doubting and feeling confused about the facts they believed in.

"We will follow your decision, Seokhyeon."

We were sharing our opinions in the workshop with Hyeon Jinseok and Hyeon Juhui.

Hyeon Jinseok had not yet woken up, and Hyeon Juhui remained here even after being told to return to the village.

I heard from Park Chaeshin that they were not actually siblings.

Even so, Hyeon Juhui stayed by Hyeon Jinseok’s side.

Was she unable to shake off the brainwashing ingrained by Victor? Or was she feeling emotions beyond that...

Whatever the case, it was a relief that there was someone to look after him.

I spoke only after sufficiently organizing my thoughts.

"If possible, we must leave tomorrow. This place is one thing, but we cannot neglect our original purpose. Besides, we have no contact with the other side of the barrier, so we cannot know what is happening. ...However."

As I looked at Hyeon Jinseok and Hyeon Juhui, Park Chaeshin said as if he had read my thoughts.

"You are concerned about the treatment of the dolls."

"Yes. Since the dolls remaining in the workshop were essentially paralyzed by the Moon-Shadow Herb, they will likely open their eyes again once the effect wears off. Of course, they will have no previous memories. Until now, they have formed a group centered around Victor, but if left alone, they will be exploited by someone. Even if it is not alchemy, problems will arise due to the mercenaries crossing the barrier."

"I suppose so. It would be at a level where it would be better for them to be annihilated by the nearby orc tribe."

Annihilated...

Looking at it coldly, it would be beneficial for us if they were exterminated by monsters.

The humans inside the barrier were individuals that current humanity would find difficult to handle.

Moreover, the Bureau of Superpowers has not yet normalized.

However, there must be a reason why the Avid Reader led their evolution.

For example, like another race of humans who protect the Broom of Gluttony.

Well, for now, it is just speculation.

In the first place, there is nothing as foolish as trying to steal a glimpse of that person’s schemes.

"So, out of a sense of duty, let us stay only until Hyeon Jinseok wakes up. If he wakes up, it will be easier to persuade the other dolls."

If the confused villagers can be unified, they will be able to cultivate a new home in a place where humans from beyond the barrier do not intrude.

"But."

"Yes?"

"What happens to the dolls left in the workshop?"

What do you mean, what happens?

Now that Victor is gone, there is no way to brainwash and assimilate them.

If they do not assimilate with the village that Hyeon Jinseok will lead in the future, we will have no choice but to deal with them when we destroy the workshop.

It is a cold-hearted judgment, but now while they are asleep is the only opportunity.

Park Chaeshin also asked with that in mind.

Perhaps because of that, he spoke cautiously.

"Listen, should I stay in the workshop?"

"You'll stay and do what?"

"I will have to study it more to know, but if I refer to Victor’s experimental records, I think I can make them assimilate with the other dolls."

In short, he would take over a part of the role as the teacher that Victor used to play.

He was not saying he would make dolls out of corpses.

He just meant he would provide intellectual help so they could survive inside the barrier.

If an alchemist with high knowledge remained, it would be good for the dolls who woke up to settle down, but...

"I am not saying I will stay forever. After you and that man deal with the remaining magic tools, come back for me. I will leave the barrier with you then."

"..."

Why on earth did Park Chaeshin make such a decision?

Until just before we crossed the barrier, I thought he would stay by my side forever.

The fact that he made such a decision meant there was a reason for it...

The moment I was about to ask, his voice came out first.

"I was saved by you."

"Saved?"

"When I had given up on life, I thought I had no lingering regrets. Right up until the moment I faced death. No, I thought I was already dead when you restricted my mana. Until then, I did not have the slightest lingering regret."

The first time I met Park Chaeshin was when the Countdown incident occurred.

That despicable incident orchestrated by Vice Principal Park Cheolyeong and Yun Jeongseop.

"But when I opened my eyes in the hospital room, the first emotion I felt was 'I am glad to be alive.'"

"I see..."

"That feeling is the same now. That is why I followed you past the barrier. But, Seokhyeon. I do not know why I am doing this myself, but I feel a sense of kinship with those dolls. The fact that they have to live a new life while having lost everything... it feels like I am looking at my past self, barely surviving on Metalgrid."

He sees his past reflected in the dolls.

For a loafer who only likes alcohol, he has quite a bit of sensitivity...

If he says this much, it would be awkward for me to hold him back.

"Well, perhaps I am feeling a new challenge as an alchemist. But you said it too, right? That I might gain something from the alchemist of Manyeong."

"Is that now?"

"Well, I just want to help them. At least so they can survive on this land."

Is this also the Avid Reader’s intention?

Having Park Chaeshin help the dolls settle down.

It is a shame he is dropping out of the journey.

However, if he, whose purpose in life was only to repay me, finds a new path by helping someone else, I have no choice but to cheer for him.

"I understand. Do as you wish, senior."

"I thought you would understand. Thank you."

Park Chaeshin and I simultaneously looked at Bruno.

I held all the authority, but since he was also a comrade, I was indirectly asking for his opinion.

"Hmph, do as you please. If the burden decreases, it is good for me."

"He says so. Then, without further ado, let us move. We have to finish the work as soon as possible to come back for you."

"What about Hyeon Jinseok? Were you not going to wait until he woke up?"

"Even if he wakes up, I have nothing to say to him. Rather, my presence will only be a hindrance."

"I suppose that is true."

With those words, I packed my things.

I felt like if I continued the conversation any further, I would only end up holding him back.

Bruno had also noticed and had already turned toward the entrance of the workshop.

As I was about to head outside, Park Chaeshin called out to me as if he had just remembered something.

"Ah, and Seokhyeon, there was one thing among Victor’s records that was bothersome."

Hmm?

"What is it?"

"The purpose for which we crossed the barrier. It was to prevent the magic tools from gathering in one place, right? So I was assuming that they were using Hyeon Jinseok to move the broom’s mana outside the barrier, but for some reason, I cannot find any records related to that."

Ah, a fact that had been bothering me from the beginning.

I also thought Manyeong and the Demonic Beings would use Hyeon Jinseok.

But the fact that they were not...

Are they perhaps planning to pull out the broom?

No, when we discovered the broom, it was already deeply assimilated with the land of Gangwon-do.

Therefore, it was impossible to transport it directly.

If so, how on earth do they plan to resume the Great Rift?

"This is just my personal thought, but perhaps they found a way to open the Great Rift without gathering all the magic tools in one place?"

"...Even if that is the case, the Cone Hat of Pride is important."

"Yes, because it will allow them to control the monsters."

"Anyway, thank you. I will keep that in mind. You be careful too, senior. As long as the magic tool is here, you are in the most dangerous place."

"Even if I am in danger, you will save me, won't you?"

"Probably. If it is not a situation where I cannot."

"I will keep that in mind."

"Then."

I walked out without looking back.

Then, Bruno, who had already come out and was waiting, tossed out a simple remark.

"I never dreamed that only the two of us would be moving."

"The same goes for me."

"Are you sure it's okay to leave that fellow behind?"

"If you want, you can stay too."

"Hmm?"

"Anyway, we just have to keep going east from here to Gangneung, right?"

"It seems leaving him behind is weighing on your mind."

At that moment, rain began to fall from the sky.

Dark clouds that were slightly different from the sky of Seoul...

Bruno walked forward unconcernedly.

"Follow me closely with those good eyes of yours. I plan to head to Gangneung using a somewhat rough method."

I followed him and pulled up the hood of my cloak.

"That is just what I wanted."

***

Seoul's Outskirts District 26.

At a pedestrian bridge built over the railroad, Special Affairs Division Chief Baek Dojun and Dispel's 3rd Branch Chief Gwon Seongjun were leaning their backs against the railing.

"What is the status?"

"The worst."

"That does not seem like a suitable word for a report to a superior."

"I am sorry, but my superior is the Dispel Commissioner General."

"My rank in the Bureau should be higher than his."

"If you want to be treated accordingly, come back with your rank insignia on."

"Do you think I cannot?"

"Do you even have the leisure for that?"

"Heh, you are hopeless too."

The conversation stopped for a moment.

The two of them looked up at the sky as if by agreement.

Gray clouds, as always.

A single raindrop fell onto the railing, piercing through that thick darkness.

After a moment, Baek Dojun spoke.

"If your report is correct, it is only a few hours away."

"What is?"

"The worst result created by my and your laziness. Perhaps the most important revolution in human history."

"..."

"Before today ends, I will go to see the Principal of Hero Prep."

"In the end, do you plan to... sacrifice that child, Do Minyeong?"

"Do not misunderstand. I already promised someone that I would not touch her recklessly. My goal is to take that child and go to Suwon."

"Should I call that an excellent judgment, or should I say you need to be a bit more cold-blooded?"

"There is no right answer either way. We will only be able to tell when a proper death is allowed for us."

"There you go with your strange words again."

"More importantly, your role is important from now on."

"You do not have to tell me. My family is a faithful dog of the Bureau, anyway."

"The Psychic Mafia has unified their forces in the outskirts, and in the inner city, citizen oppression centered around Dispel, and the Hunter Association will certainly join in as well, so it is a situation that can be called truly desperate."

"The strongest force of humanity, perhaps..."

"Probably. Therefore, the opportunity given to us is when Manyeong and the Demonic Beings start their power struggle. Of course, it would be a relief if we can stop the resumption of the Great Rift before then..."

"What about Ji Seokhyeon? Is there still no news?"

"This is a period when there should not be any news. Ultimately, we have no choice but to endure, and endure again."

"I see... Then I should be going. It seems now is not the time to be idling like this."

Gwon Seongjun stood up from the railing.

Baek Dojun did not try to stop him.

He only tossed a rather light piece of advice toward the man who was walking away.

"If you face any difficulties, find Hyeonseong. When the storm blows, there are no people who build a wall more solid than them."